ROMILEY'S BIG DAY: The Lashings team take a well-earned break at Birchvale Drive on Sunday

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ALVIN Kallicharran's all-star Lashings XI certainly made a lasting impression on Romiley cricket club before, during and after Sunday's hugely successful fund-raising game at Birchvale Drive.

The unpredictable weather did it's best to spoil the day - that certainly knocked a few off the final attendance figure - but overall players and officials at Romiley were delighted - and so were the crowds.

"There was a good carnival atmosphere out there," said Romiley spokesman Martin Leach. "The Lashings boys did their stuff allright, they put on a really good show for everyone."

After Romiley won the toss, their illustrious visitors were asked to bat first, and in just 40 interrupted overs, the Lashings team smashed a superb 293-6.

There was a huge smattering of fours and sixes in the opening innings, especially from Zimbabwean Grant Flower, who hit a delightful 111, and Pakistani Shahid Afridi, who crashed 42 in double-quick time.

In reply the home side were always going to be up against it, but they did get off to an impressive start largely thanks to a smart 59 from opener Dave Shenton.

Neil Ryan also hit 43 in what was a decent response, but Romiley fell short at 243-8 by the end of their allotted overs.

Flower was named man-of-the-match, while Romiley's top performer was Shenton, although Paul Flattley also did well as he took two excellent catches and took a prized wicket.

"It was a great day," added spokesman Leach, "But the priority remains our Derbyshire and Cheshire League campaign so Saturday's victory at Hazel Grove was much more important."

Romiley currently stand in sixth place in division two, 28 points adrift of second-placed Dove Holes in the race for a promotion spot.

Meanwhile, the Lashings XI may well be on the lookout for a new base by the end of this season, and Kallicharran's squad were so impressed on Sunday, it is believed they may consider moving to Romiley.

The Lashings' current home is down in Maidstone, but further discussions have been planned with a view to the all-stars possibly moving north.

Leach said: "The Lashings players said they hadn't been this well looked after at some of the county grounds. They seemed to appreciate our hospitality."